Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline and Detox Treatment

When someone becomes alcohol dependent, they are very likely to experience withdrawals if they interrupt or reduce the amount of drinking. Alcohol Withdrawal symptoms can be so physically and emotionally painful, many people will continue drinking, despite the negative consequences, due to fear of distress.

Alcohol intake interferes with the brain’s primary functions. It also disrupts how neurotransmitters send messages to the central nervous system. The Neurotransmitters are directly involved in transmitting feelings of relaxation and well-being. Once this function is disrupted, adverse physical and mental symptoms of alcohol withdrawal may occur.

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Alcohol addiction can destroy someone’s life and the ones around them. Yet many people continue to drink because of the fear of getting through alcohol withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal is not just physically and emotionally uncomfortable, it can also be very risky. When withdrawal is attempted without adequate medical supervision, it can have fatal consequences.

Are you or someone you love struggling with alcohol addiction? If the answer is yes, you are likely to have lots of questions and concerns about alcohol withdrawal. In this web page, you can find information about the signs and symptoms of alcohol withdrawal and alcohol detox. Furthermore, you can learn about alcohol detox timeline and the details of what you might experience throughout an alcohol withdrawal.

Understanding Alcohol Withdrawal

Withdrawal from alcohol can be challenging to get through because most people do not understand the effects alcohol has on the body. Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are usually very uncomfortable and quite severe. Especially if you are a long-time alcohol user or drink daily. The good news is that there is medical help available, and you don’t have to get through alcohol withdrawal alone.

Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

Common Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms include:

Headaches

Anxiety

Seizures

Heart palpitations

Restlessness

Confusion

Tremors

Nausea

Vomiting

Loss of appetite

Mood swings

Sweating

Fever

Other more severe combination of withdrawal symptoms, commonly known as “delirium tremens,” or DTS can also occur. Delirium tremens may include:

Shaking

Confusion

Hallucinations

Agitation or irritability

Anxiety

Chest pain

Confusion

Delusions

Sweating

Excitement

Eye and muscle movement

Fatigue

Hallucinations

Nausea

Nightmares

Seizures

You’re at risk of Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium if you:

Been drinking heavily for an extended period of time.

Have a history of previous alcohol withdrawal.

Additional health problems.

History of seizure disorder or other brain issues.

Any long-term and heavy drinker is at risk for Withdrawal Delirium Symptoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines heavy drinking as:

15 drinks a week for men.

8 drinks a week for women.

The severity of withdrawal symptoms is different from one individual to another and dependent on many factors, including:

Length of Alcohol Abuse

The quantity of alcohol usually consumed

Drinking Frequency

History of addiction to other substances

Emotional makeup and history

Age

Weight

Physiology

and other variables

“If you begin to feel any withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing or lowering your alcohol use, please contact a medical professional immediately. Alcohol withdrawal can become life-threatening when not appropriately managed.”

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Alcohol Withdrawal Timeline

Although the main portion of an alcohol detox takes about a week, it is different for each individual and withdrawal residuals can last a lot longer.

Withdrawal symptoms can start as early as a couple of hours from last drink, but usually between six hours to 24 hours from the last alcohol intake.

Alcohol withdrawal symptoms are known to come in a minor, moderate and severe stage.

Minor withdrawal symptoms

Usually occurs within 6 to 12 hours after last drink and can include:

Anxiety

Nausea

Sweating

A headache

Increased heart rate

Slight tremors and nausea

Moderate withdrawal

Usually starts 12 to 24 hours after last drink and continue up to 48 to 72 hours after discontinuing alcohol use. Symptoms may include:

Tactile hallucinations (sense of itching, burning, or numbness that is not indeed occurring).

Auditory and visual hallucinations (hearing sounds and seeing images that do not exist).

Vomiting

Sweating

Confusion

Fever

Severe Stage

This more intense and dangerous withdrawal phase often begins 48 hours after the last drink and can last for an additional 24 to 48 hours.

Delirium tremens is a very serious and potentially fatal consequence of alcoholism. The fatality rate for an individual suffering from a delirium tremens can range anywhere from 3 to 15 %.

Symptoms of Delirium Tremens can include:

Disorientation

Confusion

Seizures

Hallucinations

Tremors

Autonomic hyperactivity

Shortness of breath

Sweating

Dry mouth

Rapid heart rate or tachycardia

Agitation

Fatal complications from delirium tremens include:

Oversedation

Respiratory arrest

Cardiac arrhythmias

Aspiration pneumonitis

Delirium tremens can be challenging to diagnose because symptoms are so similar to those from an acute withdrawal. Although acute alcohol withdrawal is rarely deadly, delirium can be much riskier.

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Waismann Treatment for Alcoholism

Safe and effective treatment of alcohol withdrawal involves keeping the patient comfortable while closely monitoring for and preventing the occurrence of more serious and potentially life-threatening complications. Admission to a full-service accredited hospital provides the safest setting to treat alcohol withdrawal.

Once admitted to the hospital, a thorough medical history is obtained and the patient undergoes a physical examination. A detailed panel of blood tests are obtained to assess the patient’s medical condition at the time of admission. An EKG and chest x-ray is performed on all patients. Additional, more advanced diagnostic testing is performed if medically indicated based on the results of the initial testing. Patients receive IV hydration and replacement of important electrolytes and minerals that are depleted with alcohol use.

The mainstay of the treatment of alcohol withdrawal involves the careful and frequent monitoring for withdrawal symptoms and administration of oral and intravenous medication. The majority of patients are in the hospital for two to three days. Occasionally, additional days are required for patients who have co-existing heart, liver, pancreas, or gastrointestinal disease.

Once the acute phase of the alcohol withdrawal is completed, the patients are transferred to the Domus retreat where they continue to be carefully monitored and comfort and safety continue to be the priority.

At Domus Retreat, clients also receive individualized psychotherapy and counseling to address the emotional transition to an alcohol-free life. We have different options of 10-14 day treatments available. In addition, we offer extended stays based on the availability of Domus Retreat.

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DISCLAIMER: The text presented on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is for your information only and may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not hesitate to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Be advised that Opiates.com articles are derived from various sources and may not reflect your own country regulations.